467 CRASHES IN
ASHTABULA, OH
2021

In 2021, there were no fatalities reported for pedestrians, cyclists, or motorists. A total of 135 individuals sustained injuries across all crashes. Motorists accounted for the highest number of injured persons, with 131 individuals, while 4 pedestrians sustained injuries.

Crash data for 2021 in Ashtabula indicates that Friday was the peak day for crashes, with 88 incidents. The peak hour for crashes was 2 PM, recording 45 incidents. The majority of crashes occurred during daylight hours, with 380 incidents between 6 AM and 7 PM, compared to 87 incidents during nighttime hours (8 PM to 5 AM).

Of the 467 crashes in 2021, 76.9% resulted in no reported injuries. Injury crashes, encompassing serious, minor, and possible injuries, constituted 23.1% of all incidents. There were no fatal crashes recorded in Ashtabula during this period, meaning zero persons were killed.

In 2021, the majority of crashes occurred under favorable conditions, with 56.3% in clear weather, 75.4% on dry road surfaces, and 72.2% during daylight. However, adverse conditions also contributed to crashes, with 14.1% occurring in rain or snow, 24.4% on wet, snowy, or icy roads, and 23.1% in dark conditions.

A total of 841 vehicles were involved in crashes in 2021. Passenger cars were the most frequently involved vehicle type with 459 incidents, followed by sport utility vehicles with 190, and pickup trucks with 89. Chevrolet, Ford, and Honda were the top three vehicle makes involved, with 151, 125, and 74 instances respectively. Among all persons involved, the 26-34 age group had the highest representation with 170 individuals, followed by 16-20 with 146, and 35-44 with 139.

The majority of crashes, 415 out of 467, occurred on the roadway. Crashes occurring off the primary travel lanes, including on the roadside, shoulder, or off-ramps, accounted for 52 incidents or 11.1% of all crashes.

Among locations where crashes occurred, 513 incidents involved no traffic control, representing 61.0% of all reported traffic control instances. Signalized intersections accounted for 229 incidents or 27.2% of crashes. Stop signs were present at 88 crash locations, indicating a significant portion of incidents occurred at uncontrolled or stop-controlled intersections.

Following too Close / ACDA was the most frequently cited contributing factor, accounting for 115 instances. Failure to Yield was the second most common, with 91 instances. Additionally, Drove off Road was cited 52 times, highlighting key driver actions contributing to crashes in Ashtabula.

Crashes involving commercial vehicles accounted for 18 incidents in 2021, representing 3.9% of all crashes. Of these, 11 involved 'Other Commercial Vehicles' and 7 involved 'Semi-Tractor Trailers'.

Crashes involving vulnerable road users included 4 pedestrians and 3 bicyclists. Additionally, 8 motorcyclists were involved in crashes. Combined, pedestrian and bicyclist incidents represented 7 crashes, or 1.5% of all crashes.

Impairment was a factor in 41 crashes, accounting for 8.8% of all incidents. Alcohol was cited in 28 instances, while drugs were a factor in 12 crashes. One crash involved both alcohol and drugs.

Among drivers involved in crashes, 34 were reported as 'Under the Influence of Medications / Drugs / Alcohol'. Other abnormal conditions included 6 instances of 'Illness', 5 of 'Physical Impairment', 4 of 'Fell Asleep; Fainted; Fatigued; etc.', and 4 instances of 'Emotional' conditions. These abnormal conditions collectively represent 53 instances among the 799 drivers.

Driver distraction was noted in 37 instances. Distractions outside the vehicle accounted for 14 incidents, while distractions inside the vehicle were noted 13 times. Manually operating an electronic communication device was cited in 3 instances, and talking on a hand-held device in 1 instance.

The majority of crashes, 396, occurred on straight and level road alignments. However, 27 crashes occurred on curves, representing 5.8% of all incidents. Additionally, 59 crashes took place on road grades, including both straight and curved sections, accounting for 12.6% of crashes.

The most common pre-crash action reported was 'Straight Ahead' in 427 instances, representing 51.1% of all specified actions. 'Slowing or Stopped In Traffic' was the second most frequent action with 136 instances. Additionally, 'Making Left Turn' was noted in 103 instances prior to a crash.

The most frequent manner of collision was 'Not Collision Between Two Vehicles in Transport' with 157 incidents, accounting for 33.6% of all crashes. 'Angle' collisions were the second most common, with 132 incidents or 28.3%. 'Rear-end' collisions followed closely with 114 incidents, representing 24.4% of crashes.

Passenger cars were the dominant vehicle type involved in crashes, accounting for 459 instances. Sport utility vehicles followed with 190 involvements, and pickup trucks with 89. Commercial vehicles, including semi-tractors, single unit trucks, and cargo vans, were involved in 34 incidents.

Drivers represented the largest group of individuals involved in crashes, with 799 instances, making up 74.8% of all persons. Occupants accounted for 265 individuals, or 24.8%. Pedestrians were involved in 4 incidents.

Among all persons involved in crashes, 933 individuals sustained no injuries. A total of 135 persons sustained injuries, representing 12.6% of all individuals. This included 9 serious injuries, 63 minor injuries, and 63 possible injuries.

The majority of participants, 844 individuals, used both shoulder and lap belts. However, 35 individuals were reported to have used no safety equipment. Child restraint systems were used by 27 individuals in forward-facing seats, 14 in rear-facing seats, and 9 in booster seats.

Two-vehicle crashes were the most common, accounting for 339 incidents or 72.6% of all crashes. Single-vehicle crashes represented 111 incidents, making up 23.8% of the total. Additionally, 17 crashes involved three or more vehicles.